BlueGoose
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2011
Posts: 4
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Post by BlueGoose on Sept 10, 2016 20:08:14 GMT -5
Long-time lurker here needing a little guidance for rock saw oil.
I am ready to fill my 18 inch Covington saw
Almag, Pella, and biodiesel are out.
My first choice is 70 T mineral oil best price I can get approximately $600 per 55 gallons.(Seattle Wa.)
The other option is SuperS Super-Track 303 tractor hydraulic fluid, currently on sale at Tractor Supply for $10 for 2 gallons good until October 23rd.
Unless my math is off that's equivalent to $250 plus tax for a 55 gallon drums worth
The saw will be used in a garage that is attached to the house. Oil Mist that's generated during rock cutting will be extracted to the outside
mb
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Post by paulshiroma on Sept 10, 2016 20:36:52 GMT -5
Hey, welcome to the forum. I'm not sure what the question is, though. I'm using hydraulic oil in one of my saws. I honestly don't recall what it is a the moment and I just checked in the garage and realized I'd thrown out the empty containers. Duh. I recall getting it at O'Reilly's Auto Parts store but that was several years ago and I don't remember the price. Do you really need that much (55 gallon drums)? I seem to recall purchasing about four or five gallons, which have served well for the last few years.
Paul
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barclay
has rocks in the head
Lowly Padawan of rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 510
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Post by barclay on Sept 10, 2016 22:47:13 GMT -5
The problem with repurposing hydraulic oil is that it was not meant for cutting rocks or being near people. mineral oil is used as a laxative for people and horses so it is a less toxic option.
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BlueGoose
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2011
Posts: 4
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Post by BlueGoose on Sept 10, 2016 22:59:02 GMT -5
The reason I posted is I want to hear from members that use or have used hydraulic fluid in their rock saws.
The Covington saw uses 19 gallons to run an 18 inch blade in addition to the 18 inch blade. I was given 3 brand new 16 inch lapidary blades, and was told by the previous owner it would take about 8 gallons more in order to run the 16 inch blades. The cost of a 30 gallons mineral oil locally would be more than a 55 gallon drum from the east coast including shipping. Additional incentive on the hydrolic fluid is I can buy it in two gallon increments. So if I were to buy 30 gallons now and needed more later I can buy it at 2 gallon increments at the regular price of approximately $20 a container.
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Sept 11, 2016 9:00:46 GMT -5
I use 303 hydraulic oil in my home made 16" saw. 1 major complaint I have is it stinks. Seems to work well otherwise.
I'm well aware of all the health issues possible from using this oil, so I just let it rest a while after cutting before opening the saw.
I can't comment on longevity of the oil as I've just started using it this spring and haven't slabbed anything for a few months.
I believe I paid $35 for a 5 gal bucket of it at my local tractor supply. I'm gonna dig deeper locally for the horse laxative, the odor really puts me off.
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Post by paulshiroma on Sept 11, 2016 19:06:47 GMT -5
I use 303 hydraulic oil in my home made 16" saw. 1 major complaint I have is it stinks. Seems to work well otherwise. I'm well aware of all the health issues possible from using this oil, so I just let it rest a while after cutting before opening the saw. I can't comment on longevity of the oil as I've just started using it this spring and haven't slabbed anything for a few months. I believe I paid $35 for a 5 gal bucket of it at my local tractor supply. I'm gonna dig deeper locally for the horse laxative, the odor really puts me off. x2 on the above. My saw has a full cover and I also just let is spin down before opening. It does stink but I run it outside when using it. I seem to recall paying a similar price but, again, it's been several years. The oil works well for a purpose outside the original design. I don't need nearly as much as you do as my "larger" saw is only 14 inches. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 11, 2016 22:13:34 GMT -5
The reason I posted is I want to hear from members that use or have used hydraulic fluid in their rock saws. The Covington saw uses 19 gallons to run an 18 inch blade in addition to the 18 inch blade. I was given 3 brand new 16 inch lapidary blades, and was told by the previous owner it would take about 8 gallons more in order to run the 16 inch blades. The cost of a 30 gallons mineral oil locally would be more than a 55 gallon drum from the east coast including shipping. Additional incentive on the hydrolic fluid is I can buy it in two gallon increments. So if I were to buy 30 gallons now and needed more later I can buy it at 2 gallon increments at the regular price of approximately $20 a container. I have used hydraulic oil, it was the lowest viscosity available and was still way thicker than almag, pella, or the Stellar lubricants lapidary oil that is about $8.00 a gallon in the 55 gallon drum. As I said it was way too thick and the cost in ruined saw blades, poor cuts, and potential health hazards makes it a huge loss in every way. |
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Post by radio on Sept 12, 2016 6:12:49 GMT -5
Many years ago I caught transmission fluid on sale for $4 per gallon and used that in a 12 inch saw. It misted pretty bad, so I dumped in 2 cans of STP oil treatment. I wouldn't recommend it for large saws or high volume cutting.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Sept 12, 2016 7:28:58 GMT -5
The reason I posted is I want to hear from members that use or have used hydraulic fluid in their rock saws. The Covington saw uses 19 gallons to run an 18 inch blade in addition to the 18 inch blade. I was given 3 brand new 16 inch lapidary blades, and was told by the previous owner it would take about 8 gallons more in order to run the 16 inch blades. The cost of a 30 gallons mineral oil locally would be more than a 55 gallon drum from the east coast including shipping. Additional incentive on the hydrolic fluid is I can buy it in two gallon increments. So if I were to buy 30 gallons now and needed more later I can buy it at 2 gallon increments at the regular price of approximately $20 a container. 19 gallons of oil for an 18" Covington saw? My 20" Covingtons only require 7.5 gallons. So either you have a much larger than 18" saw or the guy that told you that it takes 19 gallons was confused. Measure the distance from the center of the saw blade arbor to the bottom of your oil reservoir and see what maximum sized blade it will accommodate. Larry C. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 12, 2016 21:45:27 GMT -5
Sometimes the distance to the back of the saw is less so check that too. my 24 inch FranTom takes less than 10 gallons.
Wonder if it's a 20" saw with 18" blade.
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robertm
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2013
Posts: 18
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Post by robertm on Sept 13, 2016 6:03:58 GMT -5
Hi All,
I'm from Durban South Africa, I've used hydraulic oil in my 14" home built saw for some years now. I find it great. My saw is covered and I wait a short while after cutting to let the mist settle. As the machine is under the car port, smell is not an issue, although adding a bottle of baby oil sorts that problem. It cuts really nice and fine with a Chinese crimped blade. The sludge settles quite fast. Best of all, I use used oil from a local workshop that is only too happy to give it away!
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